Feiedeich gessnee



F. GESSNER.

- AOGORDION.

(No Model.)

Patented May 8, 1883.

WITNESSES ATTORNE n. PETERS Photo-Lithographer. Washington, DJL

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRIEDRICH GESSNER, OF MAGDEBURG, PRUSSIA, GERMANY.

ACCORDION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 277,264, dated May 8, 1883.

- Application filed August 25, 18852. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRIEDRICH GEssNER, a subject of the King of Prussia, residing at the city of Magdeburg, in the Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Accordions, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to an improved construction of bellows for accordions, concertinas, and similar musical instruments, so that the same receive greater durability and permanency and an increased elasticity and expansibility.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation, one-half being in section, of the bellows of a musical instrument made according to the construction heretofore in use; and Figs. 2 and 3 are side elevations, one-half in section, of bellows made according to my improved construction. I

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts. i

In the bellows in ordinary use the folds a are obtainedby the simple folding of a piece of pasteboard of sufticient size, which folds are re-enforced at the outer edges by strips of leather. Bellows of this construction possess very little resistance against wear, especially when the material becomes soft by'moisture in the air. They have to be made, furthermore, with a large number of small folds, by which the expansibility and easy handling of the bellows are considerably impeded.

To overcome these difficulties and obtain bellows with larger folds, which are strengthened so as to resist wear and changes of the 7 weather in a higher degree, the bellows are not made of one'continuous piece of pasteboard as heretofore, but of a number of separate folds, d, which extend outwardly, and are then bent inwardly, the inwardlybent portions b being pasted together, as shown in Fig. 2, so as to form stitfconnecting strips or partitions. The connected strips 1) form a stiff connection between the folds d, which latter are of such a size that the bellows can be drawn out to a considerably greater length and can be worked with less effort than in the old construction. The outer and inner edges of the folds d are re-enforced by strips f, of leather orother suit- Fig. 3. The edges of the folds are in this case also covered with strips of leather.

The advantages of my improved construction of bellows are that the folds can be made larger and deeper, so that the instrument may be handled with greater ease. The folds of this construction are more stable, durable,

and better capable of resisting exterior atmospheriepressure, which is especially of advantage in moist weather, in which bellows of the construction heretofore in use usually spring inwardly, especially if they are drawn out quickly and to too great an extent. As the folds of the bellows are much larger, and as there are only about one-halfas many folds as in the old construction, a greater quantity of air can be drawn into the bellows, as they can be extended to greater length.

In case wood stiffening-strips g are used the folds may be furthermore protected at their outer edges by "means of metal strips i, whereby they are still better protected against wear.

I am aware that bellows for accordions provided with wooden strips at the joints of the outer folds, the folding material or body of the bellows passing over the outer edges of said strips, are not new, and I do not claim the same.

Having thus described my invention, Iclaim as new'and desire to secure by Letters Patent-- 1. A bellows for accordions, concertinas, and similar musical instruments, the flexible body of which is provided with a series of permanently-closed rigid inward folds between the outward expansible folds, substan mented together, substantially as described.

3. A bellows for accordions, concertiuas, and similar musical instruments, composed of a series of folding strips provided with integral horizontal inwardly-projecting lips cemented together and re-e'nforced at their inner edges by strips of leather, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed myname to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRIEDRICH GESSNER.

Witnesses B. R01, CARL FEHLERT. 

